The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Eli Ricks 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Cornerback
School: Alabama
Size: 6-foot-2, 188 pounds
Class: Junior
2022 Stats: 13 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 4 passes defended
Ricks spent time at both LSU and Alabama during his college career. Now he is a 2023 NFL Draft prospect.
As a five-star recruit out of California, Ricks signed with LSU in the class of 2020. Ricks had a good freshman season with 20 total tackles, four interceptions and five passes defended. The Tigers went 5-5 that season. Ricks was injured during the 2021 season for LSU, but totaled 11 tackles, one interception and one pass defended. The Tigers went 6-7 on the season. Following the year, Ricks transferred to Alabama. In nine games played during the 2022 season, Ricks had 13 total tackles and four tackles for loss. He helped the Crimson Tide win the Sugar Bowl.
Following the Sugar Bowl, Ricks declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Ricks has a good frame for a cornerback at the NFL level. He stands at 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds. Ricks will need to add weight to fill out his length, but he is a taller cornerback. He also has good arm length at 32 3/8 inches. His height and length help him match up with bigger outside receivers.
He is successful as a press-man corner and can excel in that system at the NFL level. Ricks uses his length to disrupt routes early. He is able to stay with receivers after they beat his press. Ricks also shows good physicality throughout a rep.
Ricks showed great ball skills at the collegiate level. He shows good anticipation and then makes a jump on the ball. Ricks tracks the ball well in the air and then attacks the catch point well. He is able to defend passes or intercept them. When the ball is in his hands, he has the capability to take it back for a touchdown.
Ricks has tight hips, which makes it tough for him to mirror the routes of receivers. Receivers who show good agility during their routes could make it tough for Ricks to keep up with. He is best in press because he can disrupt the routes.
There are instances where Ricks can be defeated deep. He doesn’t have the long speed to keep up with some perimeter receivers that can stretch the field. It is important for Ricks to use his physicality to win so that receivers don’t beat him deep.
After a good freshman season, Ricks has had trouble staying on the field. He has had injuries and struggled to find the field after transferring to Alabama. Ricks simply hasn’t played a ton of football, specifically in the last two seasons.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third-Round Pick
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